The rupee premium for the forward dollar remained weak on sustained receivings by exporters. The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in March closed down at 127-1/2 -129-1/2 paise from 129-131 paise on Thursday and far-forward maturing in September also finished lower at 237-239 paise from 242-244 paise previously.

The Reserve Bank of India has fixed the reference rate for the dollar at Rs. 44.38 and the euro at Rs. 61.80.

In cross-currency trade, the domestic unit rose against the pound sterling and the euro while declined against the Japanese yen.

The rupee recovered to Rs. 70.49/51 per pound sterling from Thursday’s close of Rs. 70.70/72 and also firmed up to Rs. 61.70/72 per euro from Rs. 61.79/81 previously.

It, however, declined further against the yen to Rs. 54.01/03 per 100 yen from its last close of Rs. 53.71/73.